2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier
England 3-0 Scotland
Friday 11th November 2016, kick-off 7.45pm
Wembley Stadium

Sturridge (23), Lallana (50), Cahill (61)

In a match where Scotland showed promise aplenty early on, a clinical England side took their chances and defeated their visitors 3-0 in the fourth World Cup Qualifier.

At the break England led 1-0 and although Scotland looked dangerous at the start of the second half, they failed to take their chances with Lallana and Cahill making them rue those missed opportunities by hitting the net to allow England to run out comfortable winners.

Gordon Strachan made eight changes to the side that lost to Slovakia a month ago with Craig Gordon in goals, Ikechi Anya at right back and Leigh Griffiths up front.

Christophe Berra made his first appearance since the friendly win against Czech Republic earlier this year.

England named a strong line-up with Wayne Rooney captaining his side in front of a sold-out Wembley.

After a moments silence for Armistice Day, Scotland started well, harrying England, making them look uncomfortable at the back.

It took until the 20th minute for England to have their first chance at goal with Wayne Rooney rattling a long-range free kick goalwards which picked up a deflection and whizzed by the post.

That short spell of pressure then yielded a goal through Daniel Sturridge.

A shot from Sterling was well blocked by Hanley before the ball fell to Kyle Walker. He drove it into the six-yard box and Daniel Sturridge rifled the ball beyond Craig Gordon with his head.

Scotland were not to be disheartened that easily though and immediately created a golden opportunity.

Snodgrass’s corner was met by the head of the unmarked Grant Hanley but his header was directed skyward and looped well over the bar.

The half petered out and Scotland were behind 1-0 but still with high hopes of turning it around.

At the start of the second half, Lee Wallace made a dangerous run and set up James Forrest who squandered a decent chance, slicing the ball by the post.

Minutes later Snodgrass saw a goal bound shot blocked.

England were looking unsure at the back but going forward they were a different animal.

After 50 minutes Adam Lallana diverted a header into the corner of Craig Gordon’s net to give England a perhaps undeserving 2-0 lead.

Matters worsened for Scotland when Gary Cahill flicked the ball beyond Gordon with his head from a corner.

From that moment on England looked composed and saw the game out without any trouble.

Elsewhere in the group, Slovakia overcame Lithuania 4-0 and Malta lost 1-0 to Slovenia.

England | Hart, Walker, Rose, Dier, Cahill, Stones, Sterling, Henderson, Sturridge (Vardy), Rooney, Lallana

Unused substitutes: Clyne, Heaton, Walcott, Jagielka, Bertrand, Townsend, Kane, Rashford, Wilshere, Lingard, Pickford

Scotland | Gordon, Anya (Paterson), Hanley, Berra, Wallace, D Fletcher (C), Brown, Morrison (McArthur), Forrest, Griffiths, Snodgrass (Ritchie)

Unused substitutes: Marshall, Hamilton, R.Martin, Kingsley, Bannan, Burke, Naismith, C.Martin, S.Fletcher

Attendance: 87,200 (13,700 Scotland fans)